ED pastes summons at Kerala Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan's residence in CMRL case

Thiruvananthapuram: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday pasted a summons outside the residence of Kerala Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan, requiring him to appear for questioning on October 23 in connection with the CMRL-linked money laundering case.

The federal agency issued the summons on Friday under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) following a case registered on the basis of a recent FIR filed by the state police.

On Saturday, an ED official from Kochi arrived at former Chief Minister Vijayan's residence near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram and pasted the two-page copy of the summons near the entrance. Officials stated that the step was taken to ensure Vijayan received the notice and appeared for questioning as scheduled, noting he was away when officers arrived.

Senior CPM leader V Sivankutty later visited the premises, interacted with the domestic staff, and strongly condemned the ED's action.

Addressing reporters, the former education minister clarified that Vijayan was not absconding and was in Kannur attending a party event.

"He went from here to Alappuzha and then to Kannur. After completing a two-day meeting, he will return to Thiruvananthapuram. If they wanted, they could have served the notice directly to him," Sivankutty said.

Sivankutty alleged that an ED official first arrived alone in the morning to hand over the summons but left upon learning of Vijayan’s absence.

"This is a case pending before the Supreme Court. Any action in the matter should be taken only after the Supreme Court delivers its verdict," he argued.

The CPM leader claimed the official returned later and asked the household staff to witness the pasting of the summons, which they declined. The ED team then brought police personnel to complete the process.

Sivankutty argued that pasting a notice is a measure reserved for untraceable individuals.

"Treating someone who had been the chief minister and now the Leader of the Opposition in this manner is completely unjust, anti-democratic and highly deplorable," he said.

When asked whether Vijayan will appear for questioning, Sivankutty said that it is up to the leader to decide about it.

The development follows action by the Kerala Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB), which registered two FIRs on October 12 against Vijayan, his daughter Veena T, and his son-in-law and former minister P A Mohammed Riyas over the alleged Cochin Mineral and Rutile Limited (CMRL) bribery matter.

The FIRs were filed pursuant to an October 9 directive by the Kerala High Court instructing the VACB to act on a report submitted by the ED to the state police. The central agency sought the registration of a case based on material gathered during its investigation and searches conducted under the anti-money laundering law.

According to the ED, CMRL made fraudulent payments amounting to Rs 2.78 crore to Veena's now-defunct IT consultancy firm, Exalogic Solutions, without actual services being rendered. The agency also stated it had seized handwritten notes during searches linked to Veena that detailed certain fund transfers to Dubai.

On Friday, Vijayan moved the Supreme Court challenging the Kerala High Court order that directed the registration of the FIR. (PTI)